Well pump



A. H. ILFREY Dec. 15, 1953 ,1 WELL PUMP 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed 001:. 4, 1951 FIG. I. FIG. 3. F165.

FIG. 4,

INVENTOR. ALLEN H. ILFREY,

A NT.

AMJA

A. H. ILFREY WELL PUMP 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 4, 1951 JNVENTOR. ALLEN H. ILFREX,

Patented Dec. 15, 1953 WELL PUMP Allen H. Ilfrey, Houston, Tex.,

assignor, by

inesne assignments, to Standard Oil Develop-. ment Company, Elizabeth, N. J., a corporation of Delaware Application October 4, 1951, Serial No. 249,678 13 Claims. (Cl. 103--179) The present invention is directed to pumps and especially to pumps to be used in well bores in the earths surface. More specifically, my invention is directed to an improved apparatus including in combination, a well pump and a valve therefor.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U; S. Serial No. 227,417, filed May 21, 1951, now abandoned.

The present'invention may be briefly described as involving a well pump adapted to be actuated by a sucker rod extending to the earths surface which includes the combination of a cylindrical bore defining a working barrel in which a piston member is arranged therein in slidin relationship. The pump includes at least one valve housing defining a plurality of radial passageways communicating an exterior of the housing with the working barrel at a point above the housing. A concentric deformable sleeve is arranged or mounted on the valve housing which is adapted to close the passageways when the piston member is in a first position and to open the passageways when the piston is in a second position. Means are provided to attach the piston member to the sucker rod to cause said piston member to as suine said first and second position on actuation of the sucker rod. It is specifically contemplated in the apparatus of the present invention that the piston member and the valve housing may be formed integrally to define a piston member including a travelling valve arranged therein as has been, described, It is also contemplated that the valve housing may define a standin valve arranged in the working barrel at a. point below the piston member. It is specifically contemplated that the concentric deformable sleeve may e arran ed ext r rly- 0, int riorly on the valve housing with the exterior arrangement prefered t he interior rr n ment of the concen ric sleeve.

The inv ntion. will be, fur h r. illustrated by reference to thedrawing in which Fig. 1 shows an arangement of; a well pump having a travelling valve and a standing valve in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the travelling valve of Fig. 1-;

Fig. 3. shows an arran m nt: or the pres nt invention w th a well, pump nclu ing a piston member and a travelling valve integrally arranged th rewi h. hav ng a. standing v lv in accordance with the present invention;

F g.- l is a se ti nal view or the standing valve f, Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 shows an arrangement of a, pistonincluw ing a travelling valve in accordance with the present'invention with a, standing valve arranged therebelow;

Fig. 6 shows an arrangement of well pump having a travellingvalve and a standing valve in which the deformable sleeve is arranged exteriorly on the travelling valve and standing valve;

Fig. 7 isa sectional view of the travelling valve of Fig. 6;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the standing valve of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 shows an arrangement of the present invention with awell pump including a piston member and travelling valve integrally arranged therewith having a standin valve including a deformable sleeve arranged exteriorly on the standing valve; and

Fig. 10 shows an arrangement of a piston including a travelling valve having a deformable sleeve exteriorly thereon with a standing valve arranged below the traveling valve and piston.

In the several figures of the drawing, identical parts will be identified by identical numerals.

Referring now to the drawing and particularly to Fig. 1, numeral I I designates a cylindrical bore which is attached to the producing strin in a well extending into a producing formation in the earths surface. The cylindrical bore II defines a working barrel II Which is preferably formed of pipe having a smooth interior section and which may be constructed of a corrosion resistant metal, such as stainless steel. Arranged in the working barrel I I is a piston member I2 including a trayelling valve I3 having a plurality of radial passageways i i. The piston member l2 and the travelling valve I 3 will be described in more detail hereinafter. Attached to the working barrel at a point below the piston member l2 and the travelling valve I3 is a housing cage I 5 in which is arranged a standing valve it which defines a plurality of radial passageways IT. The travelling valve It and the standing valve 5 6 each have a concentric internal sleeve is and i9, respectively, constructed of a deformable material, such as synthetic rubber, which is resistant to oil. Connected to the lower end of the housing cage i5 is a conventional gas anchor The travelling valve 13 is provided with a cap El and the standing valve to is likewise provided with a cap 22. It will be seen that the piston member l2 and the travelling valve l3 form an integral member which is attached to a sucker rod 23 which extends through the well bore to the earths surface to a suitable actuating means therefor.

Referring now to Fig. 2 which is a cross-sectional view of the travelling valve of Fig. 1, it will be seen that the piston member I2 and the travelling valve G3 are formed integrally as a single unit, the piston member l2 being provided with packing or pump cups 24 which makes a sliding lit with the working barrel H and seals same on movement of the piston member l2 and the travelling valve l3 upwardly and downwardly in the working barrel l l. The piston member l2 and the travelling valve 13 include a perforated sleeve. 25 defining passageways [4 arranged in which is an internal concentric deformable sleeve H8. The sucker rod 23 is attached to cap 2! and serves to move the piston member l2 and the travelling valve [3 upwardly and downwardly in the working barrel H The internal sleeve i8 is provided with a shoulder 26 which forms a seal with the sleeve 25 and the cap 2 I. Thus the inner sleeve l8 and the perforated sleeve 25 having radial passageways i4 therein communicate with the working barrel at a point above the assembly including the piston l2 and the travelling valve [3 by means of a passageway defined by the perforated sleeve 25 and the internal concentric sleeve l8 when there is a pressure differential between the outer and inner surface of sleeve l8, allowing communication from the passageways M to the working barrel II at a point above the assembly.

Referring now to Fig. 3, it will be seen that piston as embly l2 and the travelling valve !3 of Fig. 1 have been replaced by a piston member 3 5 provided with a packing means 3| in which a conventional ball and seat travelling valve 32 is arranged integrally there ith. The travellin valve 32 includes a cage 33 in which is a ball check valve 36 which fits on a seat, not shown, the whole assembly being attached to a sucker rod 23, as shown in Fig. l. The piston and the travelling valve 32 are arranged in a working barrel 1!! to which is attached a cage l5 in which is arranged a standing valve it connected to the working barrel H, as shown. The standing valve i6 is similar to the standing valve of Fig. 1 and similar thereto defines a plurality of radial passageways ll. The ca e 15 is attached at a lower end to a gas anchor 20. The standing valve i6 is provided with a cap 22 to close the lower end thereof.

Referring to Fig. 4, it will be seen that the standing valve I5 is attached to the cage l5 which, in turn, is attached to the working barrel II. It will be further clear that the standing valve it, in accordance with the present invention, includes a sleeve 46 defining the radial passageways i1. Arranged in sleeve is a concentric sleeve 99 constructed of a deformable material. The sleeve [9 and the sleeve 49 define a passageway when there is a pressure differential between the outer and inner surfaces of sleeves 99, which allows communication between passageways ii and the interior of the working barrel H. As described with respect to Fig. 1 and Fig. 8 the lower end of the standing valve i6 is provided with a cap 22 connected to the sleeve t l, the internal sleeve l9 being provided with a shoulder 42 which makes a snug fit with the cap 22 and the sleeve 56.

Referring now to Fig. 5 a travelling valve in accordance with Figs. 1 and 2 is arranged in a working barrel H. rranged below the travelling valve 13 in Fig. 5 is a standing valve 59 provided with a cage 5| arranged in which is a conventional ball and seat valve in which the ball 52 is shown. The standing valve is connected suitable actuating by a coupling 53 to the working barrel H and to a gas anchor it which is of conventional construction. In this embodiment of the invention a travelling valve in accordance with the present invention. is spaced above a standing valve.

Referring to Fig. 6, numeral H designates a cylindrical bore which is attached to the producing string in a well extending into a producing formation, the cylindrical bore ll defining a working barrel. Arranged in the working barrel H is a piston member Eiil including a travelling valve 6! which will be described in detail hereinafter. Attached to the working barrel H at a point below the piston member 53 and the travelling valve 55 is a housing cage 62 in which is arranged a standing valve 63 which will be described in more detail hereinafter. Connected to the lower end of the housing cage 93 by inating threads 84 is a conventional gas anchor 28. The standing valve 65 is threadedly connected by mating threads 65 to the cage 62. It will be noted that the piston 59 and the travelling valve El are attached to a sucker rod 23 which extends through the well bore to the earths surface to a means therefor, not shown.

In Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the travelling valve and the piston of Fig. 6. It will be noted that the piston 55 and the travelling valve til are formed integrally as a single movable unit, the piston member 89 bein provided with packing members 36 which make a sliding fit with the working barrel H and seals same on movement of the piston member 89 upwardly and downwardly in the working barrel H. The piston member (it and the travelling valve Si include a perforated sleeve (ll defining passageways t8. Arranged concentrically and exteriorly on the perforated sleeve 51 which form valve housing is a deformable sleeve is which on its lower end is provided with a shoulder 55a. The deformable sleeve to is clamped to the perforated sleeve 5'! by means 01 an annular clamp 7160'. which is arranged immediately above the shoulder fiflc and causes a sealing of the sleeve to the perforated sleeve ill. The sucker rod 133 is attached to a cap 10 which serves to close the upper end of the travelling valve 6i and the piston 56. The piston member til of the travelling valve t! has an internal bore ll which allows communication from below the piston 68 and the travelling valve 6| to the working barrel above the piston Eli} and travelling valve 6! through passageways 63, as will be described further hereinafter.

In Fig. 8 a standing valve in accordance with the present invention is described which is threadedly connected by threads 65 to the cage 82 which, in turn, is connected by mating threads '52 to the working barrel H. The standing valve 63 comprises a valve housing or internal sleeve 13 which defines a plurality of radial passageways 14 which communicate with an internal bore 15 of the standing valve 63 which connects to the gas anchor 20. Arranged exteriorly on the sleeve I3 is a concentric deformable sleeve 15 which is provided with a shoulder ii at its lower end and which is clamped against the perforated sleeve 13 by an annular clamp 18 which makes a tight fit between the sleeve 13 and the sleeve it. It will be noted that the upper end of the standing valve 63 is closed by a plate 19 while the lower end is open to let the internal bore 15 communicate with the gas anchor. Communication between the bore 15 of the working barrel H above the standing valve 63 is through the passageways M. as will be described further.

Referring now to Fig. .9, it will be noted that the piston assembly to and the travelling valve 68 of Figs. 6 and 7 have been replaced by a piston member so provided with sealing means till and a conventional ball and seat travelling valve .52 arranged integrally therewith The travelling valve includes a cage 93 in which is a ball check valve fill which lifts on a seat, not shown, the whole assembly being attached, as shown in Fig. .9, sucker rod The piston and the travelling valve 92 are arranged in the working barrel 8 l to which is attached a cage 52 in which is arranged a standing valve in accordance with the present invention, the cage .52 being connected to the working barrel ll mating threads 72.. The standing valv is similar :to the standing valve of Figs. and 8 and similar thereto has arranged exterio-rl-y thereon a concentric deformable sleeve it and defines with the internal sleeve is radial passageways "l ,the cage being attached by mating threads 65 to the gas anchor the standing valve being attached to the cage by mating threads In Fig. 10 the travelling valve El and piston Eli are arranged integrally therewith and are constructed in accordance with the present invention while standing valve idl is of conventional design and is shnilar to the standin valve 92 in Fig. 7. The standing valve we comprises a cage till in which is arranged a ball check valve Hi2 which is designed to fit on a seat not shown. The standing valve we is threadedly connected to cage 1533 by mating threads its, the cage H33 being connected to the working barrel i l by mating threads Hi5 :and'to the gas anchor to by mating threads are.

In operation the apparatus of the present invention with reference particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 in which both a travelling valve and a standing valve in accordance with the present invention is shown it is assumed that the sucker rod 23 is connected to a suitable motivating means which causes the piston member 2 to reciprocate upwardly and downwardly in the working barrel 5 l. As the piston member i i! including the travelling valve it moves down to a first position, the internal sleeve l6, with reference to Fig. 2, is caused to move inwardly and open the radial passageways l5. With reference to Fig. l, the hydrostatic head causes the internal sleeve 19 to bulge and close passageways El. On upward movement of the sucker rod 23, referring again to Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the fluid from the producing formation from which fluid is being produced flows into the passageway defined by the inner surface of sleeve to and the inner sleeve l9 through passageways ii and causes collapsing of the sleeve it allowing the fluid to pass upwardly therethrough into the working barrel ll. When fluid is flowin into the working barrel l by collapsing of the sleeve ill on upward movement or the sucker rod 23, the sleeve i3 is caused to bulge outwardly and close the radial passageways it. Similarly, with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 on downward movement the fluid passes from the working barrel ll through th passageways I l into annular space between sleeve 25 and sleeve 58 on collapsing of the sleeve l8 and thence into the barrel 5 l above the piston member l2 and travelling valve 32.

The device of Figs. 3 and 5 works in a similar manner to that described with the exception in Fig. 3 th travelling valve is of Fig. 1 has been replaced by a travelling valve and piston ernbodying a ball and seat arrangement. The

standing valve 16 is that of Fig. l and works in the manner described.

In the arrangement of Fig. 5 the fluid passes through the standing valve on upward move ment of the piston 12 and the travelling valve is causes flow therethrough and then flows through the travelling valve I3 and upward into a working barrel H on downward movement of the piston l2 as has been described.

The device of Figs. 6 to 10 operates in a similar manner to the device of 1 to 5. Referring particularly to Figs. 6. 7, and 8 on down ward movementbf the sucker rod :23 the piston to and travelling valve El causes compression of the liquid. in the working barrel ll below it and this liquid seeks to move upwardly through the internal bore ll. .As a result of the downward movement of the piston to and travelling valve '51., the compressed liquid is forced out through radial passageways 68 and causes the def maple sleeve fill to be bulged outwardly all-o g the fluid from the internal bore "ll to pass through the passageways :55 and into the working barrel ll above the travelling valve El. On upward movement of the piston to in travelling valve 5? a pressure difierential is created in the working barrel l I between the piston '63 and the internal bore il of the standing valve til, the pressure in the internal bore 15 being greater than that in the working barrel H below the piston As a result the fluid from the producing formation flows into the internal bore l5 through the radial passageways it and causes the sleeve "2 to be bulged outwardly allowing passage of from the bore 35 to the working barrel ii above standing valve -63.

The device in accordance with Figs. 9 and 10 operates in a similar manner. Referring to r. 9. on downward movement of th piston the ball and seat check valve 9 is unseated a1 lows fluid to pass from the internal here. not shown, which communicates by an open lower end with the working barrel l l, of the pi her so upwardly therein and to working barrel H at a point above the travelling lve On upward movement of the piston 9d the travelling valve 92 the standing valve is caused to operate in a manner which has been described.

In Fig. 10 the operation of the piston 5b and travelling valve 6| is, as has been described with respect to the other figures, the standing valve we is caused to open by upward movement of the piston Ed in travelling valve 6! by actuation of sucker rod 23 which causes the ball 5 cc to unseat and allow fluid to flow through the internal bore, not shown, of valve [653 and cage 585 into the working valve ll above it.

It will be noted from the several embodiments of my invention that I may use a travelling valve including a perforated sleeve defining radial pa sageways having an internal or external concentrio sleeve of deformable material and I may have a standing valve constructed. in a similar man.- ner. Alternatively, I may employ a standing valve constructed in accordance with the pres ent invention and employ a ball and seat or other type of travelling valve as has been illustrated or I may use a travelling valve and piston. in accordance with the present invention and have a ball and seat or other type of standing valve. Regardless of the particular combination that I use, it is to be emphasized that, in the apparatus of my invention, it is contemplated that at least one valve member in a well pump may be defined by a perforated sleeve defining radial passageways with a concentric sleeve constructed of a deformable material, the assembly being closed at one end and open at the other end, communication from the lower to the upper end being had through the radial passageways and then upwardly into a working barrel, as has been described.

It is exceedingly desirable to replace at least either the traveling or the standing valve with a valve in accordance with the present invention including a deformable sleeve since the combination of an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve with one of the sleeves defining radial passageways eliminates dimculties due to improper seating of a ball and seat valve or similar mechanism; such. latter mechanism may not seat properly because of abrasive particles deposited on the seat and causing imperfect sealing on the downstroke. With my invention it will be clear that the arrangement of the internal sleeve and the external sleeve is in vertical relationship and. consequently, it is impossible for material to deposit thereon and interfere with the sealing.

The nature and objects or the present invention having been completely described and illustrated, what I wish to claim as new and useful and to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a well pump adapted to be actuated by a sucker rod extending to the earths surface, the combination of a cylindrical bore defining a working barrel, a piston member arranged in the working barrel in sliding relationship thereto and at least one valve housing defining a plurality of radial passageways communicating an exterior of the housing with said working barrel at a point above the housing, a concentric deformable sleeve mounted on and secured to said housing at one end and having a free end, said sleeve flexing to close said passageways when the piston member is in a first position and to open said passageways when the piston member is in a second position, and means attaching said piston member to said sucker rod to cause said piston member to assume said first and second positions on actuation of said sucker rod.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the piston member and the valve housing define a travelling valve arranged integrally therewith.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the valve housing defines a standing valve arranged in said working barrel at a point below said piston member.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the deformable sleeve is mounted interiorly on said valve housing.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the deformable sleeve is mounted exteriorly on said valve housing.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the valve housing has a closed upper end and an open lower end and the deformable sleeve is mounted exteriorly on said valve housing.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the valve housing has a closed lower end and an open upper end and the deformable sleeve is mounted interiorly on said valve housing.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the piston member has a travelling valve arranged integrally therewith and the valve housing is arranged in said working barrel below said piston member.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the piston member and the valve housing define a travelling valve arranged integrally therewith and in which a standing valve is arranged in the working barrel below the piston member.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 in which the piston member and the valve housing define a travelling valve arranged integrally therewith.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 in which the valve housing defines a standing valve arranged in said working barrel at a point below said piston member.

12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 in which the piston member and the valve housing define a travelling valve arranged integrally therewith.

13. Apparatus in accordance with claim '7 in which the valve housing defines a standing valve arranged in said working barrel at a point below said piston member.

ALLEN H. ILFREY.

References Cited in the file of this patent 

